Christmas Chaos

I am hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas season and celebrated for all the reasons we are suppose to! We had a wonderful holiday, despite that fact that Adam and I were both sick on Christmas Day. It made for a long day, but we had no plans, so that made it easier. Mia had been a little under the weather for a couple days before hand, but thankfully Megan nor Madi got sick. Christmas Eve we took the kids to Brainerd and drove through the Winter Wonderland of lights. It was enjoyable. They loved it! That will become a yearly tradition for as long as it goes on. Then it was time to get home and get ready for bed so the man in red could pay us a visit!

Friday brought on the Koetter/Lindner celebration. We hosted this year and it was a lot of fun. Friday night there were 21 of us here! Next year we will bring the tally to 23!! We played games and Saturday brought a day for the kids to go out to play in the snow. They had a good time and took good care of Grandpa who was gimpy for the weekend. Unfortunately that alos brought them to have to leave on Saturday, but we were glad they made it for one of the nights.

Now for the New Year! We have so many things going on the next few weekends and then before we know it the baby will be here! I am very excited. Only 5 weeks and two days to go!! I am not counting at all :) Time will fly by.

There will be pictures coming soon. So much going on I haven't had time to upload them onto the computer.

First Christmas of the Year

This past weekend we celebrated Christmas at Adam's parents' house. We picked Megan up from school on Friday and headed down. We had supper and opened presents. The next day we woke up to a lot of snow and wind. We decided to try and make the trip to Comfrey for the next Christmas celebration. We got as far as Olivia, and decided to turn around and come home. So, we stayed another night at Nana and Papa's. The girls had a blast!

We came home Sunday and had company from North Carolina! It was great to have Jerick, Tammy, Jadyn and Tyler here to visit, but wish they could hav stayed longer than one night.

Now we are on our own until Friday when my family comes up for the weekend. We are very excited to spend Christmas Eve and Day at home and not have the rush to have to get places. Pictures will be posted after the holidays are completed!

Wishing all of you a safe and Happy Holiday season!

Cute pics

It was snowing yesterday when Megan got off the bus, and apparently the snowflakes tasted wonderful!!!

Last Wednesday, my mom, Mike and Grandpa Burt came up to visit. They didn't stay for long, but Grandpa had never been up here before so it was nice to have him come visit us. Here, Mia is wearing and Grandpa's cowboy hat and they both look sooo happy. I think I am going to have to get this one in a frame.

Holidazzle, Disney on Ice and Macy's

Last Thursday we headed to the cities and went to the Holidazzle parade. We met up with Nana, Papa, Levi, Brock and Auntie. It was COLD, but not as bad as this week is. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the parade a lot. Good thing it is only half an hour!

Back: Nana, Madi, Papa, Auntie and Mia
Front: Levi, Megan and Brock


We stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown Mpls. On Friday, Megan and Madi got to skip school and we took them to Disney on Ice. They really enjoyed it. It was Mia's first time at one and she was very interested in it and smiled and danced a lot.
Here they are before the show began!

Here they are all enthralled during the show.

We went to eat at the Rainforest Cafe at the MOA after the show. Mia was not impressed. I didn't have the heart to take her picture. She did not like the gorillas. Then it was back to the hotel for awhile and then we took the skyway over to Macy's. It was a little bit of a trek, but we didn't have to bundle the kids and walk outside so it was worth it to me.

Madi was very excited to see a Panda at Santa's Workshop

Who knew Polar Bears were such great decoraters!

It was a long weekend and I think we tried to do too much in two days. We did stay at the hotel until Saturday. But, it wasn't home and my back told me that right away! The sacrifices we make for our kids. It was all worth it to see the smiles on their faces!

The Big Tree

Well, here it is, the tree of the year. I did talk him down to a 12 footer this year. He wanted to go big like we did two years ago, but I had to put my foot down. The girls had a blast putting ornaments on with him and just enjoying the evening. It started to get late and bedtime got pushed back a little bit, but not too bad. More pics to come in the next week or so!

New hairdo's

So, you can't tell as much with Mia's hair, but both her and her sister got hair cuts on Saturday. They were very needed since Madi got ahold of a scissors while I was gone for the night on Friday and decided to play hair dresser on herself and her sister. Dad made her call and tell me about it and tell me she was sorry. Mia just got some cut off the back and they did their best to blend in the chops without taking off too much hair. As for Madi, she did a good job getting it the way she wanted it. It was very hard to be mad at her when her reason for cutting it was because she wanted hair like Mommy's. How can you stay angry when they say something like that. I did tell her that next time she makes that kind of decision, just to let me know and we will take care of it the right way from the start! Here is the new do for her..............

It actually turned out really cute and I really like the way it looks on her. Doesn't mean I have to be totally happy with what she did, but at least she doesn't look like a boy or anything. She seems to enjoy it, so whatever. It is only hair and it will grow back if she wants it long again.

The Christmas tree is bought and up, but we ran out of time and didn't get a chance to decorate it. So, as soon as I get the pics on the computer, you will all be able to see the tree Adam picked this year! So, until next time.....................................................

Just an update.....

Hello to all! Hope all is well with you all and you are getting into the Christmas spirit. Last year was an off year for me, but I am definately feeling it this year. It is also the time of year to reflect back and think about all we are thankful in life. We have much to be thankful for in our home. We are very blessed and know it.

This morning, I went to get Mia out of bed and we came down and were cuddling on the loveseat. Megan and Madi were soon to join us and just out of the blue, Madi looked at me and said, "Mom, and I thankful for you and Dad, Megan and Mia. I am thankful for my family and thankful for God.". When my kids say stuff like that, it brings tears to my eyes. It makes me know that I have done something right raising them. I love that fact that they are comfortable to go up to anybody and tell them that they are special because God loves them!

Megan and Madi just finished up swim lessons. Boy did we come a long way from the first week! Megan is going under the water. Not very often, but she is doing it and that is all that matters to me. She is not a big fan of water in her face. If she is never one to swim under the water, I am okay with that. I just want her to be comfortable enough to swim in the water and know how to save herself. Madi has been going under for a couple of weeks now. They are both amazing me. I would love to get Mia in something, but it just didn't work this fall with football and all. Hopefully this spring we can get her into something. The teacher is amazing! They both really enjoyed it.

Megan is also still enjoying kindergarten. She is tired when the day comes to an end, but she has so much fun when she is there. Madi and Mia love music class. I think Mia would go everyday if she could. Madi is also loving preschool. She is a stubborn little girl and always says she doesn't want to go, but she is full of it and we know it.

Football has come to a close for the season. It was a tough season to close. Adam has made a great relationship with a lot of the sophomores and is thankful that a hand full of them come up to the house every Thursday night for Bible study. It is such a joy to have them up here!

We had visitors this weekend. Abby and Parker came and stayed Saturday night. It was a great time and all the kids had a blast together. We stayed up way too late playing dominos, but it was a good time!

Take care everybody and God Bless!!